Indonesian IT Minister Tells Media He’s Not One to Hold Grudge

Jakarta Globe, Ismira Lutfia, March 18, 2010

A man in Serang, Banten, in May protesting an assault against a reporter by a Bank Century security guard. (Antara Photo/Asep Fathulrahman)

In a dialogue with journalists and the media community on Thursday, Minister of Communication and Information Technology Tifatul Sembiring reiterated his support for press freedom in the country.

Tifatul also denied allegations that he held grudges against the media for criticizing him, saying “I have no intention to curb the press’s freedom,” and calling on journalists to focus on more positive news events.

The discussion, organized by the Jakarta chapter of the Alliance of Independent Journalists, was held at the offices of the Press Council, and was attended by media and media watchdog groups.

The appointment of Tifatul, former chairman of the Islam-based Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), as cabinet minister had already sparked controversy as skeptics doubted his capabilities and whether he would be able to perform his duty without being influenced by his religious beliefs. Since assuming his post, Tifatul has already made headlines for a number of controversial moves and statements.

The latest one was a brush with local daily Media Indonesia. Tifatul allegedly sent a short message to a reporter there which read “journalists are eking money by twisting facts.”

Tifatul said he has never criticized the media in general, but on the contrary, “really supports the press’s freedom,” and that the tiff he had with the daily was caused by one particular case that he and the newspaper have already settled amicably.

“I only called on the media to be more balanced and not only report the negative news, but please also report the positive,” Tifatul said, “so we don’t only portray the gloomy face of Indonesia.”

Press Council member Agus Sudibyo said he hoped Tifatul would not criticize the media with a “vengeful aura but instead with a loving aura.”

Agus told Tifatul he should set an example for President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Vice President Boediono, as well as fellow cabinet members, in seeing the advantages of freedom of the press.

“It would be wrong to say that press freedom does not benefit the government and the country’s development,” Agus said, adding that the government could use the media as “a free auditor to evaluate the government’s performance.”

In response, Tifatul asked the media to cover more positive news, as well as events in lesser-known places in the country as “news doesn’t only evolve in big cities.”

“Indonesia is not only comprised of Jakarta and Bandung or Makassar, where its residents would protest for just about anything,” he added.

“They still staged a demonstration on Century even though the case is finished,” Tifatul said, referring to the months-long House probe on the contentious Bank Century bailout.

Asked about the status of the planned regulation to monitor Internet content, which has drawn sharp criticism from the public, he said it is “cooling down until it gets really cool.”

Tifatul was away on an official trip to Europe when the news about the controversial draft hit the headlines in February, leaving his subordinates baffled by mounting protests from media and online communities over fears of censorship.

The proposed regulation’s main objective was said to reduce the dissemination of disturbing content on the Internet, especially material with racist, pornographic or violent content.

The minister, however, said the proposed regulation would not apply to the press because there was already the 1999 Press Law to regulate news-gathering organizations.